Fear Less in 2019

by Sharmon Coleman

Snakes. Just typing the name makes me cringe. I recently had to face my fear of snakes when one slithered into my house and my husband wasn’t home to rescue me. Either I let the snake terrorize me, or my daughter and I had to face our fear and deal with the situation. We chose the latter and managed to trap the snake with a crock pot lid, drag it to the door and release it with much screaming involved. I’m surprised my neighbors didn’t call the police!

Fear is a common emotion we face as humans. Why else would Scripture tell us 365 times to “Fear not” or “Be not afraid?” We obviously need a DAILY reminder. What fear haunts you as you seek to fulfill your God-given purpose in 2019? Fear that you don’t know what your purpose is? Fear that you can’t do it and will fail? Fear that others will laugh? Oh, how the enemy loves to invade our minds with lies to keep us paralyzed with fear.

Fear has been a stronghold in my life and has greatly hindered my progress in fulfilling my God-given assignments. I vividly remember sitting in a church in Mexico while on a mission trip and telling God how TIRED I was of being hounded by fear and crying out for help. I randomly flipped open my Bible and it landed on Psalm 34:4 which says, “I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from ALL my fears.” I was covered in glory bumps. How tender of the LORD to speak to me through His word.

That mission trip church experience was a turning point in my battle with fear. God armed me with a defensive, specific word from Him to use when fear rears its ugly head. I quote Psalm 34:4, usually aloud even if it’s a whisper, as a reminder to myself and the enemy that God has delivered me from ALL my fears. With each battle, I get stronger and the emotion of fear lessens.

Offensively, I am learning to believe in God’s unshakeable, stubborn love for me to battle fear. 1 John 4:18 says, “No fear exists where His love is. Rather, perfect love gets rid of fear, because fear involves punishment. The person who lives in fear doesn’t have perfect love” (God’s Word Translation). That’s a tough truth. Instead of feeling shame when fear arises, thank God for bringing it to the surface so He can skim it off and replace it with His love.

Beloved, what keeps you bound in fear? If fear wasn’t a part of the equation, what would you sense God calling you to do? Sharpen your sword with Psalm 34:4 and fill your heart with rock-solid belief in God’s love for you, regardless. Then thank Him as you watch fear retreat and His Kingdom advance while you confidently live out the purpose for which He created you in 2019.